Phone Alert to Warn of Fires and Flooding

The UK Government will carry out a nationwide test of its Emergency Alerts system at 3pm on Sunday.

The service, which covers Britain and Northern Ireland, is designed to warn the public of life-threatening situations such as severe flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events.

As during the April 2023 test, people in the border counties may also receive a message on their mobile device, accompanied by a loud audio signal and a vibration lasting up to ten seconds. The alert will be received even if a phone is on silent or set to “do not disturb”, and it does not require WiFi or mobile data to function.

Emergency Alerts are intended to give the public immediate information during dangerous events, including storms, heavy rainfall that could trigger flooding, or rapidly spreading fires. The government says this system will provide a crucial layer of protection during escalating climate risks, where minutes of warning can make a difference to safety.

There is no action required during this test. However, vulnerable individuals who rely on hidden phones for their safety should be aware that alerts will sound unless devices are switched off or placed in airplane mode.

The service was first launched in March 2023 and has since been integrated into emergency planning across the UK. For examples of what the alerts will look and sound like, visit www.gov.uk/alerts/announcements.